Six-time snooker world champion Steve ‘The Nugget’ Davis made an appearance at The Q Bar, Volunteer Street, Chester, as the guest of club co-owner Walden.

Steve joined about 20 people for a poker challenge in the afternoon then swapped the card table for the snooker table for an exhibition in the evening.

The 52-year-old played eight frames against a mix of local amateurs and raffle and auction winners, then rounded off the night by entertaining the high-spirited crowd with trick shots and humorous tales about his career and the characters he has encountered in the game.

No doubt buoyed by what he called the ‘good social spirit’ at The Q Bar, Steve also had plenty of quips during the serious play too, not to mention indulging in behaviour – such as saying ‘boo!’ behind a challenger to put him off – that warranted ‘warnings’ from referee Patricia Murphy.

But Steve met his match when he played his youngest challenger, 14-year-old Clayton ‘The Headhunter’ Humphreys.

The double North West champion was the only player to beat Steve on the night and showed he is one to watch.

Brian ‘The Morganator’ Morgan, 49, of Connah’s Quay and the captain of The Q Bar’s A team, only lost to Steve on the black and said: “It was great to play him. He’s been my idol since the 80s.”

Ricky, 27, who lives in Bagillt, was thrilled to welcome Steve to the club.

He said: “Steve is a legend of the game and it’s been brilliant to have him here in Chester. He’s a true gentleman.”

The respect is mutual, with Steve describing Ricky, who is provisionally ranked 14th in the world, as a ‘great player’.

“It’s not easy to get into the top 16,” said Steve. “You’ve got to be some sort of player to get there. It shows how much he has come on. He has a distinctive style and has put in the hard work to come through.”

And Steve will be helping to shape the future of snooker for the top players.

He was recently co-opted on to the board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, supporting newly installed chairman Barry Hearn, and believes the changes ahead will boost player morale and create a ‘rollercoaster of enjoyment in the game’.

“Snooker is a rocky ship and the first thing is to steady the ship then get it floating again,” said Steve. “Everyone’s got to pull together.”